Dual Degree: Master of Social Work & Juris Doctor

Learning Objectives

Problem Solving

Identifying and diagnosing a problem, generating alternative solutions and strategies, developing a plan of action, implementing the plan, and keeping the planning process open to new information and ideas.

Working knowledge of the nature of legal rules and legal institutions, the fundamental tools of legal research, and the process of devising and implementing a coherent and effective research design.

Factual Investigation

Familiarity with the skills, concepts, and processes involved in determining whether factual investigation is needed, planning an investigation, implementing an investigative strategy, organizing information in an accessible form, deciding whether to conclude the investigation, and evaluating the information that has been gathered.

Communication

Communication designed to advocate or persuade; to advise or inform; to elicit information; and to establish legal obligations or effectuate legal transactions.

Counseling

Familiarity with the skills, concepts, and processes involved in establishing a proper counseling relationship with a client, gathering information relevant to the decision to be made by the client, analyzing the decision to be made by the client, counseling the client about the decision, and implementing the client’s decision.

Negotiation

Familiarity with the skills, concepts, and processes involved in preparing for a negotiation, conducting a negotiation, counseling a client about the terms obtained from the other side in a negotiation, and implementing the client’s decision.

Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Procedures

Understanding of the potential functions and consequences of these courses of action in relation to the client’s situation and objectives; working knowledge of the fundamentals of trial-court litigation, appellate litigation, advocacy in administrative and executive forums, and alternative dispute resolution.

Organization and Management of Legal Work

Familiarity with the skills, concepts, and processes required for efficient management, including appropriate allocation of time, effort and resources; timely performance and completion of work; cooperation among co-workers; and orderly administration of the office.

Recognizing and Resolving Ethical Dilemmas

Familiarity with the skills, concepts, and processes necessary to recognize and resolve ethical dilemmas.

Other

Identify as a professional social worker and conduct oneself accordingly.

Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice.

Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments.

Engage diversity and difference in practice.

Advance human rights and social and economic justice.

Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research.

Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment.

Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver effective social work services.

Careers

Graduates of the law school typically work as attorneys. A law degree is a prerequisite for admission to the bar in most states, and bar admission is required to engage in the practice of law. Law school graduates work in private law firms, business, government, non-­‐profit, and academic settings.